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Investors unconvinced by Lloyds strategy after earnings disappointment
Thursday 03 Mar 2022Even on a down day for the markets prompted by war in Ukraine the 9% fall in Lloyds Banking ( LLOY ) shares on 24 February was notable as it reported full year results. Earnings were weaker than forecast due to higher-than-expected fraud costs and restructuring charges. The market appeared...
The market impact of Russia’s Ukrainian incursion
Thursday 24 Feb 2022A de facto invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces has ramped up market volatility and sent oil prices to the cusp of $100 per barrel and safe-haven gold to within touching distance of $1,900 an ounce, at the time of writing (22 Feb). Hopes of a de-escalation are looking increasing forlorn as...
Pubs and restaurants could see another bumper run
Thursday 24 Feb 2022Despite significant pressure on family finances from the rising of cost of borrowing and living, Numis analysts Tim Barrett and Richard Stuber believe parts of the leisure sector could soon enjoy a big earnings boost. They say demand for pubs and restaurants is now above 2019 levels and should...
The inflation signals keep lighting up
Thursday 24 Feb 2022February’s flash PMI (purchasing manager index) data (21 Feb) showed the UK economy rebounding strongly from the recent Omicron related lull in activity with the services component registering an eight-month high of 61.8. Readings over 50 signal an expanding economy. Cost pressures remained...
Introducing our new column on US markets: Wall Street Week
Thursday 24 Feb 2022UK investors are increasingly interested in US stock markets given the breadth of companies and ease at which you can buy and sell shares listed on places like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq indices are closely watched by investors around the world,...
The firms which might be next after latest UK takeovers
Thursday 24 Feb 2022Takeovers of British companies reached a 14-year high by value in the first seven months of 2021 according to data from Refinitiv and the action shows little sign of letting up in 2022. The total value of deals during this aforementioned period was $198 billion, a more than three-fold increase on...
Banks fail to inspire despite upgrades and buybacks
Thursday 24 Feb 2022The market response to the start of the banks reporting season in the form of numbers from NatWest ( NWG ) (18 Feb) and HSBC ( HSBA ) (22 Feb), has been decidedly lukewarm. Share prices in both banks drifted lower on results. This looks surprising given that NatWest’s results were ahead of...
Burger King UK could be heading to the London stock market
Thursday 17 Feb 2022Burger King’s UK operation is set to join the London stock market, according to reports. Private equity firm Bridgepoint ( BPT ) has been the master franchisee for Burger King UK since 2018 but is now believed to have appointed advisers with a view to floating the business on the London Stock...
What a Russian invasion of Ukraine might mean for markets
Thursday 17 Feb 2022The tensions on the Ukrainian border may have eased slightly as we write but the situation remains highly febrile with Washington and London still warning of an imminent Russian invasion. Historically war hasn’t agreed with the stock market, particularly in the short term. This makes sense given it...
Why British American Tobacco is up more than a quarter in two months
Thursday 17 Feb 2022During the last two months shares in British American Tobacco (BATS ) are up by 26.5%. There are two very different reasons for this share price surge. The first is the changing macro-economic environment. Rampant inflation has resulted in a succession of UK interest rate rises, and expectations...